For the first time for EHS, the CMC Rotary sponsored a field trip to the Collinsville Gateway Center that gave juniors a taste of what it’s like to be in a car crash on Oct. 18 and Oct. 21. 

The Metro Driving Event gave juniors an experience of what it’s like to be in the situations that are always seen on the news. 

“They informed us that distracted driving, drunk driving and wearing no seatbelts are the most unsafe activities while driving a vehicle that you can do,” junior Kylie Johnson said.  

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16% of fatal teen driving accidents were caused by drunk driving and 10% from distracted driving. 

“I thought the field trip was both interesting and educational. We got to wear goggles that let us experience what drunk driving would be like while we drove golf carts and go carts,” Johnson said. “I thought the most interesting part was seeing every step that paramedics have to do when dealing with a person involved in a crash.” 

According to Johnson, the event gave an impactful message about drunk and distracted driving, and how it can happen to anyone at any time. 

“They also told us a story about a 16-year-old girl named Lacey who lived in Benton, IL and got in a car crash from texting and driving,” Johnson said. “My aunts actually went to school with her so it was sad to hear her story and to know that it can happen to anyone anywhere so fast.” 

The field trip, however, was made optional for juniors and had low attendance rates on the Oct. 18 trip. 

“I didn’t go because we had little time to get the form signed, since it was changed to not be mandatory,” junior Mia Plegge said. “It also would have affected my classes I had assignments in and in-class presentations.” 

The field trip wasn’t offered to seniors and sophomores who might have their license. For some students, though, it should have been. 

“I think it should have been required,” Plegge said. “The driving event had influential speakers and crash simulators, so it would have probably promoted safer driving practices.”